Wednesday 26th June
Read John 9:24-27
“A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. ‘Give glory to God by telling the truth,’ they said. ‘We know this man is a sinner.’
25 He replied, ‘Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!’
26 Then they asked him, ‘What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?’
27 He answered, ‘I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?’” (NIVUK)
It is amazing what power preconceptions have! If you already believe that someone is good, or bad, it matters little what they actually do. This principle remains true from ancient times through to modern – we are simply unable to see the faults of those in whom we believe.
Having failed to discredit the miracle by scaring the parents into changing their story concerning his congenital blindness, and convinced that Jesus is bad, they call the blind man back to force out of him whatever it is he must be holding back from them. It is impossible in their minds that Jesus performed a miracle because He was a sinner.
There are two things they know – Jesus is bad so the blind man’s story must be flawed in some way. Have you ever changed what is ‘known’ in order to fit your own beliefs? Have you ever explained away an awkward truth with the argument that you must be missing something, your knowledge must be incomplete?
For the blind man, there is only one thing he knows, one truth, and it is as bright as the day he can now see!
